What Do You Need to Know About Bed Bugs?

The common bed bug has the Latin name Cimex Lectularius. It is a very small insect which only comes out at night and feeds on blood from humans. The bite of a bed bug is not dangerous, but can cause itching and a feeling of discomfort, and it can also be distressing to realise that these creatures are in your home.

Essex & Suffolk Pest Solutions provides expert bed bug treatment, and will travel across both counties, to areas including Harwich, Witham, Ipswich, Colchester, Clacton and Stowmarket. We can arrive in unmarked vans if preferred.

Where Do They Come From?

Bed bugs are about 5mm long and are flat and oval shaped. They will be red or brown in colour, depending on how much blood they have consumed during the night time.

They can come from a range of places, but they are most likely to be brought home in your clothing, especially if you have recently stayed at a hotel, motel or holiday resort. You may also find that you can pick these tiny bugs up if you have been to a park or had a stay in a caravan.

These nocturnal insects are very good at getting into people’s luggage, or in boxes of clothes, so if you do get something from a charity shop it is advisable to wash it before wearing it!

How Many Times Does a Bed Bug Feed?On average a bed bug can feed on blood about every five to ten days, but these insects are great survivors and can actually go without feeding for as long as a year. This is not good for those who may have them in their homes, so it is advisable to seek professional help if you do think you have an infestation of these tiny mites.

Where Will I Find Them?

As their name suggests, bed bugs are happier if they are hiding in a bed, but they can easily hide in your headboards, or in the bedside cabinet, and it is especially important to check skirting boards, as these are favourite hiding places. If you have a mattress that has not been turned over in a while, then it is worth taking the time to do this. Turning will air the mattress and you can then check if there are any bugs hiding out under the bed. Bed bugs don’t nest but they stay near their food source, and will nip inside any little cracks in the walls too, so check these also!

How Do I Know if I Have Been Bitten?

If you are suffering from visible spots on your body that were not there before you went to bed, then there is a possibility that your home may have an infestation. Bed bugs can be seen by the naked eye, but it will need to be fairly dark in the room for you to spot them, as they generally appear at night. You can check your bed for dark spots of bedbug dirt, and if you find any spots of blood on the mattress then there is a high chance you have an infestation.

How Can I Prevent an Infestation?

Ways to prevent an infestation include keeping all your mattresses clean, by turning them and vacuuming them at regular intervals. You could also use a protective cover for your mattress, such as a hypo-allergenic one, which will reduce the number of hiding places available. Check any second-hand furniture you buy, as bugs could be concealed inside, although this will not happen with new furniture sealed in a plastic covering, which is not a good environment for bugs to live in. This goes for new mattresses too. If your mattress is second-hand then just spend a few minutes checking it before taking it to your bedroom.

When you are on holiday, use the wardrobe to hang your clothes in, don’t leave them on the floor and wash everything once you arrive back home again. This may seem rather time- consuming but it is better to prevent this dilemma than have to cure it.

What Can I Do to Combat Bed Bugs?

If you think you have an infestation, it is always advisable to call in a professional pest control company. Essex & Suffolk Pest Solutions are experts in providing bed bug treatment. We cover all parts of Essex and Suffolk, including Harwich, Chelmsford, Felixstowe, Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds.

We are experts in eradicating bed bugs and will be able to safely handle all the substances needed. Treatment includes dismantling affected furniture in order to carry out repeated insecticide applications or steam treatments. We can also advise you on avoiding any recurrence of this infestation. For more information or to get a free of charge quote follow the link.